Based on a concept of constant organic transformation, this
residence was designed specifically for a special effects artist.
The starting point of the design consisted of taking basic
geometric shapes and aggregate, substract, superimpose
in animated manners, thus creating spaces and moments
that contribute to constant physical and experiential
transformations.
Sliding walls allow for flexibility in the program and create
new spaces that allow the resident to customize the layout
according to specific needs. Transformation between indoor
and outdoor spaces plays a stellar role in this project as well;
small gardens are constantly acting as a green screening
element that combines exterior and interior scenes in a manner
that intensifies the visual experience.

Located in the Pasadena City College campus, the Lex
Pavilion is a structure based on a system of pixel-like pieces
fixed inside of a steel frame. The final result is a highly sculptural
pixelated grid that creates a play of shadow and light due to
the geometry and materiality of the units.
The program consists of a lounge/ dining area and an events
area that holds space for audience and stage. As a way to
identify each section, different materials are used: wood for the
events and a translucent plastic for the lounge/ dining area.
A few pieces made of an aquamarine translucent plastic are
embedded in both areas to add variation to the effect of the
light coming through.
The nature of the units allows for versatility in their use; they can
be used as seats, tables, planter boxes, while the frames can
be easily connceted to each other, making possible an infinite
number of configurations to the geometry of the pavilion and
promoting the interaction between the pavilion and its users.
Software: Illustrator, Photoshop, Rhinoceros, Grasshopper,
Rhino Render, Maxwell Render.

Hill Ave

Colorado Blvd

A

B

Campus Circulation
Primary Path
Secondary Path
Tertiary Path

Unit Assembly

1
A box is built with a
4 ft. dimension on
all sides.

2

B

The box is divided
into 8 equal smaller
boxes. (2x2x2 ft)

3

A Events Area
B Lounge/ Dining Area

Pipe Connection
(2-way)

Scale each box by a
factor of 4. One box
on each side should
be longer than 2 ft.
to prevent it from
falling off the rail.

A skyscraper situated on Pershing Square in Downtown Los
Angeles, the project takes the basic architectural elements
of a tall building such as floor, structure, openings, skin, and
develops them at a conceptual level in Grasshopper.
The Wave's main purpose is to serve as a conglomerate of
different sectors such as residential, commercial and public thus
creating a space that is user-friendly and open to everyone.
The Wave was designed around the concept of formation of
waves; the tower presents a demure exterior skin, however, on
the inside a wave-like void crosses through the building laterally
and vertically through the hotel, commercial and residential
areas creating an atrium that serves as a connection between
floors and between the interior and exterior space. Each area
has an incorporated sky lobby and an observation deck on the
top floor, providing visitors with panoramic views of the city.
The see-through quality provided by the atrium attempts to be
reminiscent of the wind hitting the water and creating a wave
that loops and comes back to a rest.

Focused on the Clark Art Center by Tadao Ando, this
precedent study intends to show Ando's methodology as well
as use of materiality and natural elements.
Program, Circulation and structure diagrams seek to analyze
the composition of the building and a study model was built in
order to further comprehend Ando's intent and objective.

Located in the Caltech Campus, the Gateway Community
Center is a building inspired by Tadao Ando's Clarke Art
Center. The Community Center uses three materials: water,
glass and concrete, focusing the attention to the design and
the landscape.
Circulation acts as a central axis and is connected to each
building. The program was laid out as a set of pavilions that are
either rotated 90 or 120 degrees, addressing traffic on adjacent
streets and guiding visitors towards the site.
Glass panels run from top to bottom, merging with the water
and creating the illusion of continuity, giving the project an
ethereal ambiance.
Software: Hand Rendering, Hand cutting /modeling,
Illustrator, Photoshop, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros,
V-Ray.
Project partner: Natalie Lao
Duties: Drawings (floor plans, sections, axonometric, massing),
Hand Renderings, Massing Physical Model, partial
assembly of final physical model.

This project was created for a family of four members: parents
and two children.
The project's site is Altozano, a gated community in
Michoacan, with a 16m x 18m lot, a set back of 1.5m per side
and a 6m offset in the front for garage space.
An austere and contrasting approach was taken for the design
of this project; a box creates the overall geometry with carvings
on opposite sides of the top and bottom floors to create
balance. The South facade displays a playful arrangement of
windows, contrasting with the North facade, which showcases
three perfectly aligned windows.
The third level (not shown) functions as a guest room/ loft with
access to the panoramic terrace.

Hoop Residence follows a design that creates looping motions
around two cylinders in opposite sides of the site. The project
seeks to convey fluidity, graceful movement and smooth
transitions among its curved walls. The nature of its form
and the vast use of glass on the surfaces allow for a strong
connection between the interior and exterior spaces; the walls
seamlessly transform from glass to concrete and back to glass,
deepening the experience.
A 1,000 square meters site with dimensions of 50m x 20m is
the occupiable space, with a 1.5m setback on each side and
an 8m offset at the front for garage space. In the back, a 15m
x 20m area was used as garden and pool.
Software: Hand drawing.

The project starts with a photograph of Henry Moore's "Mother
and Child" sculpture accentuating the contrast between
shadow and light and the object's tactile qualities.
The image is converted to black and white and subsequently
divided in strips of various widths that are arranged on 8 1/2"
x 11" boards. Through the combination and juxtaposition of
the six boards, a 26" x 36" poster emphasizing the repetition,
contrast of tonality and different rythms is designed.
The artwork of the collage is deconstructed and separated
according to a grayscale of 7 tones; it is then reconstructed as
a digital image in order to simplify the original collage but still
maintaining the essence of the latter.

24" x 36" physical model of a simplified version
of the digital collage (8)..
A height is assigned to each color; as the
grayscale approaches white (0%) the height
increases.
Shown on each side of the collage are the
elevations after color and height are assigned.

Man-made & the Natural

Synthetic Landscape
1570 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA
Fall 2016

Architectural Design
Fundamentals

Duane Mclemore

Taking "The Man-made & the natural" last piece of artwork
and recomoposing it as an environment, the goal for this
project was to create a multi-level pavilion for human-scale use.
The six plates from the physical model were rearranged and
stacked vertically; alternating right-side up and up-side down,
a unique interior space between them was crafted.
The program includes a gallery space underground, gathering
area on the entry level and observation area on the second
level.
Design-wise the project was crafted with the original image
and collage in mind; the spiral stairs were a way to reference
the original image of "Mother and Child" by creating an
embracing effect on the top view as well as a repetitive spiraling
motion in the sections.
Software: Hand cutting /modeling, Illustrator, AutoCAD,
Rhinoceros.